News briefs_June03_2007

Jatropha number claims : Malaysia plans to develop bio-diesel fuels from jatropha, which it will buy from India and Myanmar where it is widely cultivated, an official said in mid-May. Assistant Land Development Minister Naroden Majais said it was being promoted as an easily-grown crop in hundreds of projects throughout the two countries, which he said had each cultivated one million acres for commercial purposes. Traditionally, the plant is used for medicinal purposes. Seeds are used to treat constipation, the sap applied on wounds, the leaves as tea to treat malaria, and oil from the seeds as antiseptic for coughs, skin diseases and as pain reliever from rheumatism. "One hectare can support 1,600-2,200 Jatropha plants and produce 1,892 litres of fuel and it is a one-stage conversion to bio-fuel, meaning the conversion process is much simpler and cheaper compared to converting crude palm oil (CPO) into bio-diesel," Naroden said.
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SeedCo_Zimbabwe : Zimbabwe's Seed Company Limited has resolved to pull out of Mozambique due to continued viability problems, with negotiations already underway with the government of Mozambique to take over the operations. The company has since 2006 stopped funding the operations in the neighbouring country. The company has also now resolved the previous years' problem of seed shortages through the establishment of various research stations. With a stable production capability in place and adequate stocks, the company is poised for growth in the seed business. "The Zimbabwe market has nearly achieved self-sufficiency in seed supply, and with a strong brand and top performing varieties, the company will not only dominate the seed business, but may also be in a position to export. Food self-sufficiency initiatives by almost all the countries in the region mean that the company's business should prosper," the company said.
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